In our contract, the trash haulers charge us tipping fees per ton. The recyclables are disposed of for free; therefore, the more we separate and recycle, the less money the city spends and the less landfill space is used.

Every item goes to a separate location; brush is taken to a storage area for the city to recycle into mulch; metal is taken to a recycling center; yard waste is taken to the landfill, which is then used for mulch; bulk trash is taken to the landfill for disposal. Each of these reduces the amount of trash for tipping fees.

The city does not have the equipment or permits to haul hazard materials; however, you can dump used oil at the free drop of containers at 105 Railroad Avenue (Street Department Shop). Also, you can drop off used oil and anti-freeze at Northern Landfill.

The City Code states that household trash cannot be placed curbside more than 24 hours in advance. Wind can blow trash around and animals can get into trash. The less time your trash sits curbside, the less likely it is to make a mess.

The city classifies addresses by whether or not they are entitled to service. Those not entitled to service are buildings with 4 or more apartments, commercial buildings, or mixed residential and commercial use buildings. These are based on water meters and are generated by the Finance Department. A "bad address" is an address that is not entitled to trash pickup.